Ponoka, Alberta

The Battle River in Ponoka, Photo by Mr Bealzy

About Ponoka, Alberta

Located along the thriving Edmonton-Calgary corridor, the town of Ponoka sits a mere 30 minutes north of Red Deer along Queen Elizabeth ll highway,  nestled among the rolling hills of the Battle River Valley in Central Alberta. Almost 7,000 people live in Ponoka, and the real estate market includes over 3,000 homes, and the community is known for being both beautiful and comfortable. Family and retiree friendly, Ponoka offers a vibrant rural lifestyle that remains one of Alberta's "best kept secrets".

With direct access to three major highway transportation corridors, Ponoka's economy continues to grow and expand. Our innovative manufacturing sector is flourishing, and our proximity to both Calgary and Edmonton has turned Ponoka into a major agricultural and energy industry hub in the Province. The local CANPASS Industrial Airport allows businesses to thrive, and passenger flights are available at the Edmonton International Airport only 45 minutes away. Ponoka is also known for having excellent health care facilities, particularly when it comes to mental health. The Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury is known for its outstanding brain injury program throughout the Province.

Affordable housing makes Ponoka an attractive place to relocate, and for a small town Ponoka has a wide variety of recreational facilities. Our historic downtown area features unique restaurants and shops, many locally owned, and the Farmers Market runs every Wednesday from May to October. Residents enjoy year round use of the Culture and Recreational Centre, the Kinsmen Community Centre, and the Ponoka Aquaplex. Outdoor enthusiasts will love spending time in Ponoka's many parks, while cyclists, hikers and joggers enjoy the Battle River Valley trail system, which is now part of the Trans Canada Trail. The nearby J.J. Collett Natural area features 635 acres of protected land.

Known for our "cowboy culture", the highlight of Ponoka's year is our seven day Ponoka Stampede held at the end of June. This world class event draws over 60,000 fans every year, and is one of western Canada's largest professional rodeos. Other events include the Downhill Derby Classic, the Ponoka County Fair, and the Ponoka Childrens' Festival.